5 things you'll love about Hong Kong

International

Monday, August 28, 2017, 10:23 AM

Buses fill the streets of Hong Kong, a bustling city of 7.3 million. PAT LEE PHOTO

We're partway through a walk through the Central and Mid-Levels districts in Hong Kong when our guide casually mentions an upcoming escalator, which I don't give much thought to. Hey, I've been to a mall. I know escalators.

We're partway through a walk through the Central and Mid-Levels districts in Hong Kong when our guide casually mentions an upcoming escalator, which I don't give much thought to. Hey, I've been to a mall. I know escalators.

Boy, do I not know escalators.

When we get to the moving walkway -- which I was more than ready to use given the steep hills in the historic city -- it turns out this people conveyor is actually the world's longest outdoor covered escalator, running some 800 metres and travelling an elevation of 135 metres.

It takes about 30 minutes to go from beginning to end.

Operating since 1993, the escalator was intended to carry people up and down the hilly interior of the city with the hope folks would leave their vehicles at home.

Our guide notes there has been some debate about whether or not this goal has been achieved as we bypass narrow streets still choked with traffic.

All I know is this fat girl applauded the ingenuity of the conveyance, just one of an untold number of things that turn your head in the historic port city.

The markets, the high-end shopping, the natural beauty, the food, the British heritage rubbing up against its more recent link to mainland China -- it's all there.

In a word, Hong Kong is amazing.

Living in a relatively small Canadian city, I was prepared for this internationally famous centre of banking, food, shopping and skyscrapers to awaken all my senses, and it didn't disappoint.

As a guest of the Langham Hospitality Group, which put us up in their Cordis property at Langham Place in the city's Mong Kok area (there is another Langham hotel across town), my senses were tickled early and often.

Located in the heart of one of Hong Kong's many shopping districts, the Cordis, with its upscale homage to British-style service, is a wonderful home base for exploring the city on foot or via its efficient transit system.

Go with an appetite, go with comfortable shoes, and go prepared to be wowed.

MARKETS

Interested in doing some power shopping and hardcore bargaining for a deal? Then Hong Kong's markets will be right up your alley -- with many of them literally tucked away in narrow alleys.

Not only are there a TON of street markets -- selling everything and anything -- these are often grouped by the items being sold, like food, goldfish, antiques, Chinese medicine, flowers, sneakers or clothing.

If you really dig the market scene, plan to hit the famous Temple Street Market, which comes alive after the sun goes down.

CITY WALK

You'll definitely want to walk this city, even if you stick to one neighbourhood such as Central or Mong Kok, to really get the bustling vibe of Hong Kong, home to some 7.3-million people.

You will be joined on the densely packed sidewalks by thousands of your closest friends, but it's a head trip as you try to keep up with the flow of foot traffic (and remember they drive on the left-hand side of the road, so be careful when crossing the street).

Hit the markets, check out the untold number of hole-in-the-wall cafes, restaurants and shops. Try a pineapple bun with butter and Hong Kong milk tea, local specialties.

If you hire a guide, you can also learn about the city's fascinating history, its evolving traditions since it has changed from British control to being part of China, as well as gain a new respect for those who traverse the city in work shoes.

When your tootsies get tired of walking, you can hop on the efficient and easy-to-use subway system, buses or one of its iconic double-decker trams.

SHOPPING

For some people, Hong Kong means shopping, from bargain hunting in the markets to the high-end stores found in the Central district. Want to flash your gold Amex? That's the place to do it with all the top designers and retailers setting up shop there. From sparkling malls to standalone stores, Central is the place to drop some serious cash. But Mong Kok is THE shopping district of Hong Kong, with the aforementioned markets, malls and street upon street of shops selling everything from electronics to shrubbery. You'll also be rubbing shoulders with plenty of ex-pats and residents of China who pour over the border to buy goods said not to be knock-offs.

VICTORIA HARBOUR

Hong Kong is a harbour city and you'll definitely want to see it from the water at least once during your stay. One way to check it out is to hop on a Star Ferry that shuttles folks between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, or take a lovely sunset cruise aboard a red-sail junk boat for an eye-popping view of the city's many neck-craning skyscrapers, brightly lit and beyond beautiful at night.

EATING

The options in this foodie mecca are literally endless, with hole-in-the-wall fish ball purveyors competing with Michelin-rated restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable.

We were lucky enough to be treated to an amazing lunch at the Cordis' 2-star Michelin Guide rated Ming Court restaurant, then later to offerings from its laid-back nighttime food trucks (a rarity for Hong Kong) arranged on a large outdoor patio. Their Alibi -- Wine Dine Be Social Restaurant also has fantastic cocktails and upscale offerings. The hotel's wine cellar is expansive, with selections from around the world.

During an extensive walking tour, we dropped into La Port Parfume, a lovely, cozy French bistro, where we fell on the clams in garlic and butter and other delicacies as if we had never eaten before.

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Takin' care of business a pleasure in Shenzhen, China

Relaxing in the comfy business lounge at the luxurious Langham hotel in Shenzhen, China, I overhear business being conducted.

Over the course of an hour or so, several folks, who I presumed were sales reps for local manufacturers, made short presentations to three businessmen about some bits of electronics they wanted to have made in the city.

It was fascinating. It was China. More specifically, it was Shenzhen, China, one of the country's four Special Economic Zones established only 47 years ago.

Now 11.9 million people from across China call it home.

Just a short train ride north of Hong Kong, the former fishing village has been transformed into a planned city of wide, tree-lined boulevards with huge apartment complexes and high-tech manufacturing areas.

It's totally not what you think of when you think of China. First of all, it's relatively smogless thanks to measures taken to reduce air pollution.

The traffic was also not insane outside of rush hour.

Swaddled in the British-infused comfort of The Langham, Shenzhen, with its trademark pink taxi and high tea, it was really easy to forget we were in a city built entirely on commerce.

Except for those obvious business transactions and admission from the manager that most of their guests were there on business.

But there are some interesting things to do if you're not in town just to close a multi-million deal on electronics.

We dropped by scenic OCT Harbour, home to art galleries (a Monet exhibit was on when we were there), restaurants and shopping.

The next day we travelled to Dapeng Fortress, a walled village circa 1394. There we experienced the squatty potty (albeit a very clean one) and one of the best meals of the tour with local cuisine prepared at one of the many restaurants on site.

Not surprisingly there is good shopping for electronics and other goods in Shenzhen, although that was not part of our itinerary.

Given it's a short train ride from Hong Kong -- and Canadians can grab a short-term visitor's visa (for that area only) at the border -- it's worth the trip if only to say you've been to mainland China.